TISE 2015 expected to draw record attendance

DALLAS, TX -- Hanley Wood Exhibitions reports that exhibitor sales remain strong as excitement builds for Design & Construction Week when The International Surface Event (TISE) -- along with three other major industry shows, each serving a different segment of the residential and commercial building and design market -- will co-locate in Las Vegas in multiple venues over a period of six days in January. This unprecedented event will showcase the largest collection of building and design products and services ever assembled at one time. Design & Construction Week participants include TISE, the International Builder Show (IBS), Kitchen & Bath Show (KBS) and Las Vegas Market. TISE will be held from January 20 to 23, 2015 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.

"It's clear that the floorcovering, stone and tile industries recognize this unique opportunity to connect with a brand new audience," said Amie Gilmore, Show Director for The International Surface Event. "A significant number of companies are expanding their booths and space on Level 2 is almost sold out. Our team is currently in discussions with a number of other major industry players who are close to coming on board. We continue to have new exhibitors added to the show daily."

Hanley Wood Exhibitions has been ramping up efforts to ensure exhibitors participating in The International Surface Event will benefit from cross-over attendance. By the time TISE opens registration on the first day of the show, plans to take advantage of Design & Construction Week will have been in the works for over 24 months. The TISE Sales, Operations and Marketing teams have been working more closely than ever to maximize partnerships with over 50 endorsers, sponsors and associations who support the show by scheduling national and regional sales meetings, supplier events, distributor programs, certifications, educational programs and special events during the event.

"With a 7% increase in attendance over the previous year, a renewed optimism across all product categories was evident on the show floor this past January," said Dana Teague, Vice President of Hanley Wood Exhibitions. The large number of pre-scheduled appointments necessitated the assistance of additional account executives from other Hanley Wood managed shows to facilitate meetings with over 700 exhibitors. The additional staff paid off -- 85% of participating exhibitors reserved space for the 2015 event onsite before the last day of the show.

Exhibitor pavilions featured at the January event will showcase a large number of companies brand new to the show. Pavilions include Artisan Avenue, Building Stone Institute (BSI), Cleaning & Restoration Pavilion, Marmomacc Pavilion, North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA), National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA), Stone Pavilion, Tool Alley and Wools of New Zealand.

Additional show features will include a Distributors Lounge, Contractors Lounge and new at this year's event, a Relaxation & Rejuvenation Lounge, assured to be a hot spot for exhibitors and attendees who need a break from the hustle and bustle of the show floor. The CAGE, where experts will showcase live demonstrations of the latest tools for natural stone products, Trends Hub, a gallery-like space showcasing what's trending in products, colors and textures and the Product Marketplace – the place to discover "must-see" products attendees won't want to miss at the show.

The 2015 event will also feature a revamped education program that provides attendees with more interactive learning and networking opportunities, including an Emerging Professionals happy hour, "walk & talk" tours of the show floor and a Social Learning Lab hosted by social media experts designed to give retailers the knowledge they need to implement a social media strategy that produces results.

As a result of the positive response from attendees participating in certification programs at the January 2014 event, additional certification programs will be offered in 2015. Associations offering certifications include the Certified Floorcovering Installers (CFI), International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI), International Standards and Training Alliance (INSTALL), North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA) and the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA). Details of these certifications along with the full educational schedule will be announced soon.

For more information on The International Surface Event, visit www.surfaces.com.

In the December 2016 issue, we look at some highlights of the Marmo+Mac 2016, and the new renovations of the Freemasons' Hall in London, England. We also present some new products, technology updates, machine of the month, and stone of the month.

For this issue, we are excited to share with you four features that focus on using compact and ultrathin slabs in both residential and commercial projects. As these products continue to gain popularity, we wanted to share different ideas of applications, including an upscale dining environment in the interior of a Saks Fifth Avenue.